Below is an Emmy Winning video "Yes We Can" that was inspired by a speech delivered by Barack Obama following the 2008 new Hampshire primary. I personally do not have much interest in politics unfortunately but this video is something I have never seen before in the political arena. I felt that the video was very powerful on a political front, so please do take a few minutes to enjoy:
"Change", "Hope", "Vote", "Yes We Can" are the words I easily picked up after watching the video. The fact that I can so easily recall the words from watching the video just once shows how effective this video is for a political candidate. These are the key phrases they want to get out to the people and with over 1.7 million hits and being a winner of an Emmy, I can only imagine how many people take to those words.
I think this is the first time I have seen how politics are taken to a whole new level with the Internet and multimedia. I do not recall seeing a video on a political front such as this one. Most are usually boring, recordings of speeches, interviews and certainly not eye-catching. This video has employed the use of international artistes, music, a good juxtaposition of images, animation and catchy phrases. In my opinion, that is what makes the video so powerful: because it appeals to the people with its eye-catching and unconventional marketing.
Since many feel that young people are generally apathetic towards politics, maybe those in politics could also perhaps examine how they go about promoting themselves. Perhaps the majority of methods used are not relevant and appealing to the young, or perhaps we need more charismatic leaders that we identify we. Whatever it is, I think it is pretty evident that even in the political arena, there has to be constant change and improvements, in order to remain relevant.
In the future, it is highly probable that rallies will no longer take place only in real life but also broadcasted over the Internet, or perhaps voting will be done online. How about more personal interactions with Politicians over the Internet in real time? I am excited to see where the Internet takes politics in the years to come!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Apple and multimedia
These days, before the launch of practically any Apple product, such as the iphone, ipod or ipad, you can expect customers to queue up outside the Apple stores way before launch time or even witness some who camp overnight just so they can be ahead of everyone else in getting the new Apple product. If this is not evidence of successful marketing, I do not know what else is. Since this communication module focuses on communicating with the use of the Internet, let us look deeper into some of Apple's marketing strategy with the use of multimedia.
Smart use of media
With a variety of print ads, video ads, use of audio, use of text and so on, Apple uses a large variety of means to reach out to its audience. Not only are they prevalent online but they are also commonplace offline. They do not only place emphasis on a wide outreach but they also pay attention to the content used. Smart and catchy phrases by the Apple team such as "Spend Smart", "Make the ultimate upgrade" and "This changes everything. Again" are just some of their carefully chosen words used to attract consumers and build their brand. Below is an example of a very powerful video ad regarding Apple's iPhone 4:
Apple has very smartly incorporated various ways in just one ad to promote its iphone 4. These include the use of animations, use of clean, sharp and clear images, music, statistics and facts, images, illustrations, authority figures such as vice president of the Apple's product marketing team and senior vice president of iOS software, emotional and logical appeals to name a few. It has all come together to produce a very powerful video ad that I myself feel like getting an iPhone after watching this!
Website
Apple's website is also a very powerful marketing tool for its consumers. With an unconventional, unique, clean and consistent layout throughout their site, it is immediately aesthetically pleasing to the eye, attracting people to its site.
Within it's site, they have stratigically employed the use of videos, images and text to market their products, like the sreenshot of the iPhone 4 above. For example, for many of their products, there are videos and images for users to look at besides plain text. Not only are users able to get detailed information about their products but they get to visualize how the products look like too.
Interactivity
Another key marketing strategy used by Apple is the promotion of interactivtiy of their products and features. This has caused many to find the iPhone4 for example, so intriguing and to purchase the product thereafter. In fact, it promotes its iPhone 4 to be more than just any other smartphone. In fact, it promotes the iPhone to be more than a smartphone. Evidence of interactivity within the iPhone 4 include a large variety of applications, video calling, surfing, touch screen and so on.
This element of interactivity of Apple's can even be witnessed in their stores, where users are able to get their hands on Apple products and consults the Apple staff on the spot should they have any enquiries. This definitely helps to draw in the crowds!
Above are just some of the ways Apple has used multimedia alone to market their products. Just imagine what else Apple has done to promote their products and services.. It is truly amazing how within just approximately a decade, Apple has grown to capture such a huge user base!
Smart use of media
With a variety of print ads, video ads, use of audio, use of text and so on, Apple uses a large variety of means to reach out to its audience. Not only are they prevalent online but they are also commonplace offline. They do not only place emphasis on a wide outreach but they also pay attention to the content used. Smart and catchy phrases by the Apple team such as "Spend Smart", "Make the ultimate upgrade" and "This changes everything. Again" are just some of their carefully chosen words used to attract consumers and build their brand. Below is an example of a very powerful video ad regarding Apple's iPhone 4:
Apple has very smartly incorporated various ways in just one ad to promote its iphone 4. These include the use of animations, use of clean, sharp and clear images, music, statistics and facts, images, illustrations, authority figures such as vice president of the Apple's product marketing team and senior vice president of iOS software, emotional and logical appeals to name a few. It has all come together to produce a very powerful video ad that I myself feel like getting an iPhone after watching this!
Website
Apple's website is also a very powerful marketing tool for its consumers. With an unconventional, unique, clean and consistent layout throughout their site, it is immediately aesthetically pleasing to the eye, attracting people to its site.
Within it's site, they have stratigically employed the use of videos, images and text to market their products, like the sreenshot of the iPhone 4 above. For example, for many of their products, there are videos and images for users to look at besides plain text. Not only are users able to get detailed information about their products but they get to visualize how the products look like too.
Interactivity
Another key marketing strategy used by Apple is the promotion of interactivtiy of their products and features. This has caused many to find the iPhone4 for example, so intriguing and to purchase the product thereafter. In fact, it promotes its iPhone 4 to be more than just any other smartphone. In fact, it promotes the iPhone to be more than a smartphone. Evidence of interactivity within the iPhone 4 include a large variety of applications, video calling, surfing, touch screen and so on.
This element of interactivity of Apple's can even be witnessed in their stores, where users are able to get their hands on Apple products and consults the Apple staff on the spot should they have any enquiries. This definitely helps to draw in the crowds!
Above are just some of the ways Apple has used multimedia alone to market their products. Just imagine what else Apple has done to promote their products and services.. It is truly amazing how within just approximately a decade, Apple has grown to capture such a huge user base!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Cyber crime in Singapore and how to protect yourself
According to an article on Channel News Asia, cyber-crime happens to 70% of Internet users here in Singapore, ranging from computer viruses to credit fraud to identity theft. Despite the extent of cyber-crime here in Singapore, many stay silent about it because the way cyber-crimes work today is that they steal only little information from victims, such that they feel it is unnecessary to report it to the authorities.
Here are some statistics about cyber-crime in Singapore from the article:
- Strongest emotional reaction to cyber-crime: Anger (58%)
- 1/4 blamed the criminals behind cyber-crime
- 1/3 felt responsible for cyber-crime activities that resulted form their responses to it
- 1/10 of Singaporeans have never fully resolved cyber-crime
- About 3/10 mentioned that the biggest hassle when dealing with cyber-crime was the time taken to deal with it
- More than 1/2 said their biggest fear of cyber-crime is possible financial losses
Given the prevalence and negative repercussions of cyber-crime in Singapore, I am sure many look to preventing cyber-crime. One way this can be done is by using a security softtware such as Norton AntiVirus. It helps to detect and eliminate online threats so that we can browse the Internet safely. It also has other feautures such as internet updates and rescue tools to help remove viruses and other malicious softwares on one's PC. Given that it is a leader in the industry, it provides one of the best Internet protections. Other popular security software providers include McAfee, AVG and Norman.
Secondly, one can employ the use of multiple passwords and also make sure that these passwords are frequently updated. This prevents hackers from easily hacking into one's other accounts.
Also, one should always remember to never disclose personal information such as one's address, telephone numbers, passwords, credit card numbers and so on unless absolutely necessary and only when it is an exchange with an authentic and credible source. This is to prevent identity theft and other related cyber-crimes.
Lastly, it is good to be educated about cyber-crimes as much as possible. They should come from credible sources such as books, credible online sources and even relevant authority figures. This includes knowing the different forms, how it happens, prevention methods and so on. With these knowledge, we are then better able to detect such cyber-crimes and decrease our chances of falling prey to it.
These are just some things that we can do as individuals to prevent ourselves from falling victim to cyber-crimes. Afterall, we are responsible for what we do online. If we do not take precautionary measures to protect ourselves from cyber-crime, we only have ourselves to blame should we fall victim to it. So, start now, before it's too late!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Great Google
I am sure many of us are familiar with using Google's basic functions or at least, have heard of the name Google, which is the world's number one search engine today. To be honest, I did not know the extent of how great Google was until I sat through a week's lecture on Google by one of my instructors in school. I have played around with Google's features ever since and I am more than pleased to share what I have learnt.
Google Maps
The first thing that I explored on my own after my instructor's lecture was Google Maps because I personally found it very handy. It is a feature that enables you to get directions to where you want to go or it simply allows you to check a place out. I knew that Google Maps existed but I have never played around with it so extensively till last week! I am surprised at the accuracy and comprehensive list of features, such as having a comprehensive street view, enabling users to search what's available nearby and directions via public transport, private transport or walking. It really amazes me how Google manages to get such comprehensive coverage on areas around the world, not just Singapore. I will definitely be using this more often!
Google Trends
I also learnt about Google Trends in class and explored more on my own. Since I was doing a project on the record-low fertility rate in Singapore, I decided to search for low fertility trends in Singapore. Google Trends allow you to search by region and year but my search returned no results when I selected "Singapore" under region. I found out that Google Trends is better for getting a general idea of a certain trend and I would personally not use this feature for research papers as it is not comprehensive enough for my liking. One good feature in Google Trends, though, is that it brings you news results from your search too, which might be useful in helping you to gain more insights about your search.
Google Docs
Another feature that I found useful was Google Docs. As a student, perhaps many would expect me to be familiar with this feature but to be honest, I only became acquainted with it this semester when my lecturer used it to share documents with us and after my friend shared a file with me. The benefits of using Google Docs is that one is able to share files to many users at one time, as opposed to sending one file multiple times to many recipients. Also, it allows one to change settings, such as visibility and ownership, to suit one's preferences. However, I found it challenging to use as I found its interface slightly complicated. Also, as it is not a popular sharing platform among my peers, I do not see myself using it extensively anytime in the near feature but thumbs up to Google for creating such a useful file sharing feature that can be used by many at no cost at all!
Movie showtimes
Another interesting feature I learnt about Google is that local movie showtimes are available on Google! All I have to do is type "Showtimes for Singapore" and I am able to search for movie showtimes via theatre, day or timing. I do not know why I did not discover this useful feature earlier in the past but now that I have, I no longer have to go to the individual movie theatre company's website to check movie timings! It saves me so much more time and makes deciding what time to watch a movie so much more convenient!
Google has so many more features that are possibly undiscovered by many but it surely is a top-notch company that is competitive and versatile. Nowadays, you hear many people "googling" something thet they are unsure about and this certainly shows how successful the company has been. Google has been very useful to the majority of us so far I believe and I foresee that it will continue to grow to remain as great as it is now.
Google Maps
The first thing that I explored on my own after my instructor's lecture was Google Maps because I personally found it very handy. It is a feature that enables you to get directions to where you want to go or it simply allows you to check a place out. I knew that Google Maps existed but I have never played around with it so extensively till last week! I am surprised at the accuracy and comprehensive list of features, such as having a comprehensive street view, enabling users to search what's available nearby and directions via public transport, private transport or walking. It really amazes me how Google manages to get such comprehensive coverage on areas around the world, not just Singapore. I will definitely be using this more often!
Google Trends
I also learnt about Google Trends in class and explored more on my own. Since I was doing a project on the record-low fertility rate in Singapore, I decided to search for low fertility trends in Singapore. Google Trends allow you to search by region and year but my search returned no results when I selected "Singapore" under region. I found out that Google Trends is better for getting a general idea of a certain trend and I would personally not use this feature for research papers as it is not comprehensive enough for my liking. One good feature in Google Trends, though, is that it brings you news results from your search too, which might be useful in helping you to gain more insights about your search.
Google Docs
Another feature that I found useful was Google Docs. As a student, perhaps many would expect me to be familiar with this feature but to be honest, I only became acquainted with it this semester when my lecturer used it to share documents with us and after my friend shared a file with me. The benefits of using Google Docs is that one is able to share files to many users at one time, as opposed to sending one file multiple times to many recipients. Also, it allows one to change settings, such as visibility and ownership, to suit one's preferences. However, I found it challenging to use as I found its interface slightly complicated. Also, as it is not a popular sharing platform among my peers, I do not see myself using it extensively anytime in the near feature but thumbs up to Google for creating such a useful file sharing feature that can be used by many at no cost at all!
Movie showtimes
Another interesting feature I learnt about Google is that local movie showtimes are available on Google! All I have to do is type "Showtimes for Singapore" and I am able to search for movie showtimes via theatre, day or timing. I do not know why I did not discover this useful feature earlier in the past but now that I have, I no longer have to go to the individual movie theatre company's website to check movie timings! It saves me so much more time and makes deciding what time to watch a movie so much more convenient!
Google has so many more features that are possibly undiscovered by many but it surely is a top-notch company that is competitive and versatile. Nowadays, you hear many people "googling" something thet they are unsure about and this certainly shows how successful the company has been. Google has been very useful to the majority of us so far I believe and I foresee that it will continue to grow to remain as great as it is now.
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